102-02-2010 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck

Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks — Susquehanna Riverlands near Berwick, Luzerne County; June 12, 2010. Photo by Kevin Ripka.
This group of ten birds was originally found on June 8th by two Bloomsburg University students, Tim Plisiewicz and Kevin Sutowski. The first identifiable photos were taken on June 10th by Clem McIntyre and eventually forwarded on to local birders. These birds represent the 1st record for Luzerne County.

Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks — Susquehanna Riverlands near Berwick, Luzerne County; June 12, 2010. Photos by Jonathan DeBalko.
This photo shows the untrimmed toenails of one of the birds, pointing towards a wild origin.

Assisted with the Fall raptor count at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in the 1970's.
Monitored the Spring hawk migration from Smith Gap in 1980 and 1981 and from Morgan Hill from 1982 to 1987.
Started the 'Eastern PA Birdline' in 1991.
Birded 50 states, six Canadian provinces, and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.